IC-814, Pulwama perpetrators eliminated, over 35 Pak soldiers dead: 10 key takeaways from armed forces briefing | India News

Between May 7 and May 10, the Indian Armed Forces launched precision air and artillery strikes on nine terrorist camps (of the shortlisted 21) located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). These strikes led to the neutralisation of over 100 terrorists, based on battlefield assessments. Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai said, “Those strikes across those nine terror hubs left more than 100 terrorists killed.”

Among the terrorists killed were Yusuf Azhar (linked to the IC-814 Indian Airlines hijacking), Abdul Malik Rauf, and Mudasir Ahmed. These individuals were high-value targets with confirmed involvement in past major terror operations against India, including the Pulwama attack of 2019.

Lt Gen DGMO Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai said, “(The terrorists killed included) high value targets such as Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf and Mudasir Ahmed that were involved in the hijack of IC814 and the Pulwama blast.”

According to Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, during the period of May 7 to May 10, Indian forces inflicted approximately 35–40 fatalities on Pakistani Army soldiers. These occurred during heavy cross-border artillery exchanges along the Line of Control (LoC).

“Some of the air fields and dumps saw repeated attacks in waves from the air. All were thwarted. The Pakistan Army has reported to have lost approximately 35 to 40 personal in artillery and small arms firing on the Line of Control between 7th and 10th May…,” Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai said.

India reported five military fatalities throughout the course of Operation Sindoor. No Indian Air Force aircraft or personnel were lost during air combat operations, and all IAF pilots returned safely.

Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai said, “I pay my solemn homage to my five fallen colleagues and brothers from the armed forces and civilians who tragically lost their lives in Operation Sindoor. Our hearts go out to the bereaved families…Their sacrifices shall always be remembered…We have thus far exercised immense restraint and our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory. However, any threat to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and safety of our citizens will be met with decisive force.”

Air Marshal AK Bharti stated that the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully downed multiple Pakistani fighter jets during aerial engagements. Although the exact number of jets destroyed was not disclosed, the IAF maintained air superiority throughout the operation.

“Their planes were prevented from coming inside our border. So, we don’t have wreckage with us, but definitely, we have downed a few Pakistani planes; numbers, we would not like to hazard a guess out here, I have the numbers and we are getting into technical details to establish it. So, I would not like to put a figure at this time,” Air Marshal AK Bharti said.

Between May 7 and May 10, Pakistan launched multiple UAV and drone incursions targeting Indian military and civilian areas. However, Indian air defence systems intercepted and neutralised nearly all threats, limiting damage. Some drones did breach Indian airspace and targeted fuel depots and ammunition points.

“The line of control was also violated soon after by Pakistan and the erratic and rattled response of our enemy was apparent from the number of civilians, inhabited villages and religious sites such as Gurudwaras that were unfortunately hit by them, leading to a sad loss of lives. The Indian Air Force played a major part in these strikes by engaging some of these camps and the Indian Navy provided wherewithal in terms of precision munitions. The Indian Air Force had their assets up in the sky…,” Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai aid.

Indian Armed Forces conducted retaliatory strikes on Pakistani radar systems, air bases, and command centres. Confirmed targets included Pakistani military facilities in Lahore, Gujranwala, Chaklala, and PAF Rafiqui airbase. These strikes were conducted to degrade Pakistan’s warfighting and surveillance capability.

Air Marshal AK Bharti said, “Their planes were prevented from entering inside our border…Definitely, we have downed a few planes…Definitely, there are losses on their side which we have inflicted… Have we achieved our objectives of decimating the terrorist camps, and the answer is a thumping Yes and the results are for the whole world to see…”

The Indian Navy deployed a Carrier Battle Group led by INS Vikramaditya, along with submarines and naval aviation assets, to the Arabian Sea. This forced Pakistan’s naval fleet to retreat to defensive postures, with several assets anchored at Karachi and Ormara due to the threat of Indian naval action.

Vice Admiral AN Pramod said, “In the aftermath of the cowardly attacks on innocent tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistani sponsored terrorists on 22nd April, the Indian Navy’s Carrier battle group, surface forces, submarines and aviation assets were immediately deployed at sea with full combat readiness…We tested and refined tactics and procedures at sea during multiple weapon firings in the Arabian Sea within 96 hours of the terrorist attack.”

He added: “Our forces remained forward deployed in the Northern Arabian Sea in a decisive nd deterrent posture with full readiness and capacity to strike select targets at sea and on land, including Karachi, at a time of our choosing. The forward deployment of the Indian Navy compelled Pakistani naval and air units to be in a defensive posture, mostly inside harbours or very close to the coast, which we monitored continuously….Our response has been measured, proportionate, non-escalatory and responsible from day one…As we speak, the Indian Navy remains deployed at sea in a credible deterrent posture to respond decisively to any inimical action by Pakistan.”

On May 10, following hotline talks between Indian and Pakistani Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs), a mutual ceasefire agreement was reached. However, Pakistan violated the truce within hours by launching additional artillery fire and drone strikes, prompting further calibrated countermeasures.

“My communication with the Pak DGMO was conducted at 15:35 hours yesterday and resulted in cessation of cross-border firing and air intrusions by either side with effect from 17:00 hours, 10th of May, after he proposed that we cease hostilities. We also decided to further speak on the 12th of May at 12:00 hours to discuss the modalities that would enable the longevity of this understanding,” he said.

“However, disappointingly, expectedly it took only a couple of hours for Pakistan Army to violate these arrangements by cross border and across Line of Control firing followed by drone intrusions through last night and in the early hours of today. These violations were responded to robustly…We have earlier today sent another hotline message to my counterpart highlighting these violations of the understanding between the DGMOs on 10th of May and our firm and clear intent to respond to these fiercely if repeated tonight, subsequently or later…The Chief of Army Staff has granted full authority to our army commander for counteraction in case of any violation by Pakistan…” Lt Gen DGMO Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai added.

DGMO Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai warned that recent military activities resemble wartime actions, with indications of possible Pakistani army involvement in infiltrations across the Line of Control.

“The activities that have been going on for the last 3-4 days are no less than a war. Under normal circumstances, the air forces of each other’s countries do not fly in the air and attack each other…Under normal circumstances, infiltration across the Line of Control is done by terrorists. We have information that the Pakistani army may also be involved in infiltration across the Line of Control, which is trying to harm our posts…” he said.